Candid Moments from Jordan

Mischievous Jordan. Our computer has a webcam/photo lens. Jordan has discovered it. Jordan knows she's not supposed to play with it, but, surprise-surprise, rather than discouraging her from using it, it encourages her to use it. Shelly has no idea how to use the camera, but Jordan wastes no time explaining how it's done. Of course, Jordan is very mischievous about the whole thing and immediately closes the window if she thinks she's going to get caught. Last night, we were telling Shelly's mom about her use of the camera, and I decided to look to see if she had done any more pictures. The following pictures were the latest Jordan had taken of herself. I thought about removing the icon, so she wouldn't know how to open it, but with such cute/candid moments, I think I'll leave it and see what future pics she'll offer.

She loves her new flip-flops, which she will be showing off in the next several pictures

Who knows what she's thinking in these 2 pics, but we got a good laugh out of it.

Evened it out!! Caden's New Pal.

So, here's a picture similar to ours from an ultrasound earlier today. Any guesses? Just kidding. Here's to Caden's new little brother/playmate/sister-torturer. We're thrilled. We hoped for boy, expected girl, and were pleasantly surprised with boy. Kailyn didn't go to the ultrasound b/c of school, but when we asked her after school if she thought the baby was a boy or a girl, she quickly replied "boy." She said knew all along it was a boy (I'm pretty sure I remember her saying before school that she thought the baby would be a girl and we should name the baby Della).

First Day of School

Well, Kailyn started Kindergarten this year. She was very excited! When we took her to her classroom the first day and it was time to say good-bye she just said, "see ya mom" with a huge grin on her face. I too was not sad. I am so excited for her and I am not worried about her starting school, she is definitely ready. I am a bit surprised though that I am at that point in my life where I have a child in school. She has loved school and in fact was quite sad when she was going to miss school so we could take a trip with Dad to Washington, D.C.

We live very close to the school (only a few blocks) which is great when the weather is nice and we can walk but won't be so nice when the weather is cold. In some ways I wish we lived far enough away that she was bused in, that sure would be easier in the winter especially once the baby comes. The school we go to, Beverly Elementary, is probably the best in the district. They do have to wear uniforms--solid colors, collars, dark colored closed toe shoes-- which I am ok with. It made school shopping a lot easier. They also have all day Kindergarten. I actually like all day. Kailyn does just fine with it and it makes it easier for me cause it doesn't mess up my day so much.

Kailyn's new classroom. Her new teacher is named Mrs. Kristie.

Does this girl look anything but way excited?!

Kailyn and the girl sitting next to her, Madeline or "Maddie," have actually become pretty good friends. They eat lunch together everyday and play together at recess.

This is what we got to do while Kailyn started her first day. The school provided breakfast and Kleenex to all Kindergarten parents. Yum!

The end of the day. Kailyn was so excited to show me that she had not thrown away her plastic containers or water bottle (something I had told her not to do on the way to school). She was so proud of herself

Fun at the Jones's

We had lots of fun while staying with my parents. I can't believe we were in Montana for a whole month, the time just went by so fast. The kids loved playing games "with" Aunt Megan (they normally just ended up watching her), playing on the swingset, jumping on the trampoline, playing in the pretend house, and making s'mores.

Making S'mores with Grandpa.

A yummy sticky mess.

Jordan very happy to be making and eating s'mores.

Kailyn testing out her s'more

Fun on the trampoline with cousin Hailey.

Group shot with Grandpa on the trampoline.

Hailey, Caden, Jordan, and Kailyn.

The kids love Aunt Ashley.

They also love their Aunt Megan.

Caden hugging cousin Hailey.

Fun at Bassett's

While in MT we had a lot of fun at Grandma and Grandpa Bassett's house. I even took a trip down to Utah (for a Bassett girls' getaway) and Denver (for Ken's brother's wedding) with them.

Reading stories with grandma.

Austin (Ken's brother) and Mindy's wedding.

Helping Grandma make cookies.

Pretending to make something yummy.

Playing in the wading pool, which they loved.

Playing on the makeshift waterslide. It took Kailyn a couple tries to figure it out but once she did she loved sliding down it. Jordan and Caden never did got the hang of it but they sure had fun trying.

Happy Birthday Kailyn

While in Montana we celebrated Kailyn's birthday. She was so excited!! She hung out with Grandma Bassett during the day because she wanted to be surprised. I braved it and made her a princess/Barbie cake. Kailyn loved it! She came up to me after she saw it and said, "Mom, thank you so much for making me a Barbie cake. It is beautiful." Kailyn wanted the biggest slice of cake "cause it was her birthday." Having way more than enough cake to go around I decided to let her decide how big she wanted her slice. She decided on a very large piece but in the end only had a bite maybe two.

For dinner we ate pizza per Kailyn's request, ate cake and then opened presents. She was so excited about all of her presents from all of her grandmas and grandpas, aunts, uncle, brother and sister. She wanted to do nothing but play with all of her new toys all night and all day.

We're back

Yes, we are back in Ohio. We have actually been home for about a week. We have been busy getting Kailyn ready for Kindergarten, getting the house back in order and just getting into the swing of things. I have a lot of pictures from Montana so I thought I would take it in stages. So here is round one.

While in Montana I celebrated my birthday. I was able to get together with my family, in-laws, and my kids (unfortunately no Ken). We got together at Lake Elmo, ate a picnic dinner, the kids went canoeing, and I got to eat cake and open presents. My family took picture of the kids for my birthday and then got them developed. They let my kids pick what picture would be put into the frame. They of course unanimously picked the goofiest picture, Jordan has her eyes closed and Caden is making a silly face. I love my silly kids.

Ken wanted some pictures of me, well here ya go.